The state-tournament was deemed a big success for the host Potomac School Panthers.
In the wrestling competition, Potomac School placed 12th in the team scoring and had six grapplers finish in the top eight, the high-school squad’s best performance in years, at the 53rd private-school state wrestling tourney.
Over two days, the McLean school hosted the 30-team event for the first time, held inside the new and spacious Spangler Center, which includes a circular upper walkway where many watched the competition below.
The large lower court had enough room to use five mats for early-round matches.
“I think it has gone well, and we have heard a lot of good remarks,” Potomac School coach C.J. Remmo said.
Multiple teams from Northern Virginia participated in the tournament, including Bishop O’Connell, St. Paul VI Catholic and Bishop Ireton.
While Remmo and many on the Potomac School staff helped with the tournament, it officially was run by the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association. Executive director Adam Brick attended and liked what he saw and the venue. Brick suggested it was likely Potomac School will be granted the opportunity to host the state tournament next year. One reason he said is because the state looks for places “passionate” about hosting such events. He said Potomac School and Remmo possess such passion.
“The state makes the decision, and if they can, I think they like to keep it in the same place for two years,” said Remmo, who embraced the busy two days of coaching his team and being involved with the many aspects of helping run the tournament.
The state private-school wrestling tournament was last held in Northern Virginia in 2005.
As for the wrestling, with five individual champions and three others placing third, St. Christopher’s School of Richmond won the team title, scoring 332.5 points. St. Paul VI Catholic was second with 307.5.
Leading Potomac School in the competition were fifth-place finishers Evan McNamara at 113 pounds and Robbie Pence at 144. McNamara won his fifth-place match by pin and Pence won 4-2. Each had multiple pins in the tourney.
Sixth for Potomac School were Jeremy DeLaVille at 138 and Jason Seeber at 190. Richard Perry was seventh at 150 and Adar Weinman eighth at 132.
All six wrestlers recorded pins in the tournament.
“Having six place at states is the best we have done since I’ve been the coach here,” Remmo said.
